MURDER squad detectives want to trace key witnesses after a man's body was found in a canal.

A 60-year-old man was pulled from the Coventry canal by a local resident in Grindle Road, Longford, Coventry at about 7.40pm on Sunday.

Despite attempts to resuscitate him at the scene, he was pronounced dead.

Detectives have launched a murder inquiry and are appealing for help in tracing people seen in the area at the time, including two girls rowing a dinghy along the canal.

A 22-year-old man and a 16-year-old youth, both from Coventry, have been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody.

The 60-year-old man has yet to be formally identified but his family has been informed.

Det Insp Nigel Harrison, from Stoney Stanton Road CID, who is leading the inquiry, is keen to trace certain people who were known to be at the scene at the time of the incident.

He said: "Inquiries have revealed that two white males, aged between 18 and 20, were seen by the location where the victim entered the canal and who subsequently ran from the scene prior to police attendance.

"In particular, we urgently need to talk to any individuals who were approached on the canal by two males who may have appeared intoxicated and who were approaching people, asking for cigarettes.

"Police are also eager to trace two young girls who were rowing an inflatable dinghy along this section of the canal who may have vital information."

Several residents living in modern flats in Grindle Road, which overlook the scene, witnessed the dramatic rescue attempt on a warm summer evening.

Sets of steps leading to the canal have been sealed off by police and officers have also been patrolling the towpath near the scene.

Police have been conducting house to house inquiries as part of their investigation.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information should contact CID at Stoney Stanton Road on 0845 113 5000.